Once you see the set for the new show Death Note: The Musical you know you’re going to be in for something totally different.
Previously staged as a concert version in 2023, now we get a full story behind the music. And the minimalist set (think Blade Runner) adds intrigue and drama to the story. If you are like me and don’t know anything about the Manga Universe, it’s ok as this story is easy to follow as a standalone piece. It follows student Light Yagami (Xander Pang who is super talented) who finds a Death Note on the street – it’s basically a supernatural notebook that can cause the death of anyone’s name who is written inside of it, accompanied by a Shinigami (basically guardian angels who ’support’ the finders of said notebooks). After several unexplained deaths take place, a band of detectives (including Light’s father) are tasked with investigating, including a mysterious detective known only as L (who is also part of the Shinigami world).
Meanwhile Light meets and falls in love with Misa (an extremely talented Stephanie Zaharis who sings the roof off the Barbican as petite as she is!)
This is all showcased very dramatically but what makes this show a cut above the others is the music. Any songs that Misa sings, especially ‘I’ll Only Love You More’ – are incredible, alongside Light’s big solo number ‘Where is the Justice.’ All songs in this show resonate with the story and are all beautifully sung. Overall Death Note is very mysterious and dark in a world that has many secrets.
Based on the manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note: The Musical features music by Wildhorn, lyrics by Jack Murphy, additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly and a book by Ivan Menchell. It is directed by Stephen Whitson, with choreography by Fabian Aloise, set design by Jon Bausor and musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Jason Howland.
The first half of the show is excellent, upping the drama higher and higher. The second half doesn’t quite match up as the ending is a bit predictable but overall it’s an excellent show, with a near operatic feel, and you only have a month to catch it, it ends September 12th.
www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/event/death-note-the-musical